Cattle drinking apparatus.



1. M. s. LEWIS. CATTLE DBINKINGAPPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. l0. |914.

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I. II/I. B. LEWIS.

CATTLE DRINKING APPARATUS.

r APPLICATION FILED FEB. I0. 1914. l ,49,13% Patented Dec. 4,1917.

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CATTLE DRINKING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. Io. 1914.

Lg 39. mmm D66. I, 1917.

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swig/wow f1.5. lf@ 0175 y I 331134 wmmmo JOI-IN lVI. B. LEWIS, OFLYNCI-IBURG', VIRGINIA.

'CATTLE DRINKING APPARATUS.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patenten nee. a, rait.

Application filed February 1G, 1914. Serial No. 817,727.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. B. Lnwis, a citizen of the United States,residing at Lynchburg, in the county of Campbell and State of Virginia,haveY invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cattle DrinkingApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in drinking apparatus for. cattle,such ascows, horses, or the like.

As it-is Well known, cattle, particularly cows, are very susceptible totuberculosis. This disease, attacking one cow, is not infrequentlytransmitted to a large numbeigif not all, of the other cows, through themedium of the ordinary drinking system in use. It is generally customaryto provide in such systems a trough or receptacle to hold the water,which is located in each stall. A common supply pipe is connected bymeans of branch pipes with a plurality of these troughs. The commonsupply pipe is ordinarily connected with a common supply tank, arrangedat necessarily the same elevation as the troughs. Float control meansare provided in connection with the supply tank, whereby a constantlevel of the water is maintained both in tank and troughs. In sucha'system, each animal has its own trough, but when each animal drinksout of its trough the level of the water in the entire system isreduced,which is compensated for by the supply of water from the tank. However,before this, the water from the troughs having a level above that of thelevel of the water in the trough from which the animal has drunk, flowsback through the branch pipes into the main supply pipe, and notinfrequently passes into the other trough or troughs of the system. Bythis means, if one of the cows should have tuberculosis or otherco-ntagious or infectious disease, the germs thereof will be distributedthrough the entire system, with the result that the disease is spread toother cows. Vihen it is discovered that the entire system is thusinfested with the tuberculosis germs, it is very difficult and expensiveto sterilize or clean the same.

In contra-distinction to the ordinary drinking apparatus, or system, Ipropose to provide means whereby each cow will drink from a`separatetrough or receptacle,

in a manner whereby the water coming in contact with the co-ws mouthcannot under any condition flow back into the supply pipe of the systemor into the other troughs or receptacles. I also propose to providemeans whereby each trough is maintained in a highly sanitary condition,the same being so constructed that when it is discovered that any onetrough is infested with tuberculosis or other germs, such trough mayv bethoroughly sterilized or cleaned, without in any way affecting the othertroughs.

An important object of the invention is to provide means of the abovementioned character, whereby upon the movement of a control elementeither in the embodiment of a member arranged within the drinkingreceptacle or a cover therefor, the same being adapted to be moved by ananimal, a supply of fresh water will be continuously fed into the troughfrom the upper end thereof, such water overflowing from the trough ifthe supply thereof is continued for a. sufficiently long period, beforethe same can rise and come in contact with the supply means thereof, thewater being discharged and thoroughly dra-ined from the lower portion ofthe trough upon the cutting off of the supply of the same.

A further object of the invention is Vto provide means of the abovementioned character, which are comparatively simple in construction,inexpensive to manufacture, convenient in use, easy to sterilize andclean, strong and durable.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the abovementioned character, formed of few and simple parts which may be readilyseparated and assembled.

Other objects and advantages of this in-` vention will be apparentduring the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame,

Figure l is a plan view of apparatus embodying my invention, l

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. l,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Fig. l,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view through a valve structureincluded in the invention,

F ig. 5 is an enlarged detail horizontal section taken through a portionof the valve structure, showing means Vfor attaching a support thereto,

F ig. 6 is a central longitudinal sectional view through apparatusembodying a slightly different form of my invention, and,

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates adrinking trough or receptacle, as a whole, preferably divided into aplurality of drinking chambers 11, in the present instance -two, by atransverse partition 12. The trough or receptacle 10 has its forwardside and ends terminating at a point substantially below the upper edgeof the back and transverse partition 12, as shown. The forward side andends are provided at their upper edges with an inwardly extendinghorizontal flange or lip 13 to prevent the splashing of the water out ofthe trough, while the animal is drinking.

The numeral 14 designates a preferably vertically arranged water supplypipe having connection with a source of supply of water under suitablepressure (not shown). This pipe 14 preferably extends behind the back ofthe trough or receptacle 10, adjacent the partition 12, with its upperend connected with a T-coupling 15, which overhangs the partition 12, asshown. This T- coupling is provided with depending outlet portions 16,arranged upon opposite sides of the partition 12, to supply the water tothe chambers 11.

As more clearly shown in Fig. L1, the lower ends of each of the outletportions 16 of the T-coupling, is screw-threaded, as shown at 17, forscrew-threaded engagement within the intake end lof a valve casing orchamber 18 of a supply valve structure, designated as a whole by thenumeral 19. This valve casing 18 is vertically arranged adjacent thepartition 12, and is provided with a water outlet or-port 20, preferablycurved to extend rearwardly or inwardly toward the partition 12. Thesupply of water to this outlet 20 is controlled by a vertically movableinverted approximately heartshaped valve 21 engaging and disengaging avalve seat 22. The valve 21 is connected with a depending valve rod orstem 23 passing through a suitable opening 24C in the lower closed endof the casing 18, as shown. y The numeral 25 designates a preferablyvertically arranged support or strip, adapted to be disposed uponpreferably the outer side of the valve casing 18, in engagement withannular flanges or ribs 26 and 27. As more clearly shown in Fig. 5, eachannular flange or rib 27'is provided with spaced openings 28, and anoutwardly extending lug 29 therein. The support 25 is adapted `1 thepresent instance, l have shown this control device as being in theembodiment of a preferably rectangular open tubular frame 3l, extendinglongitudinally of the chamber 11. Extending longitudinally of the openframe and connected with the'opposite ends thereof is a rod 35, adaptedto be engaged by the nose or mouth of the animal. The inner end of the.frame 34 is'pivotally mounted within eyes or loops 36, formed upondownwardly diverging arms 37, rigidly connected with the support 25 andpreferably formed integral therewith. lt is thus seen that the arms 37provided with the eyes 36 afford a pivotal connection between the frame34 and theV support 25, whereby the frame will be. free to swing in asubstan tially vertical plane, and will not be liable to derangement,such as binding. Rigidly connected with the inner end of the frame 3l isa crank arm 38, provided with an approximately frustoconically shapedhead 39, increasing in diameter toward its free end. The crank arm 38 ispreferably formed of solid iron or other suitable material. The head 39is adapted for insertion within a preferably circular opening l0 of aplatelink l1 and is normally retained therein by means of alock link 42,adapted to be shifted upwardly to enter an opening or recess 13, wherebythe head 39 may be withdrawn from the opening 40. lt is obvious that thelock link 42 is retained by gravity in the lcwermost position, wherebythe same serves to positively prevent the withdrawal of the head 39 fromthe opening 40, but the link 42 may be readily manipulated, whe'reby thehead 39 may be disconnected from the plate link 41. The link l1 isprovided near its upper portionwith an openin@4 ll for receiving a loopVor eye Ll5 of the valve rod 22. At this point it is thought advisable tocall attention to the fact that the weight of the valve 21, valve rod23, crank arm 38, aud connecting means between the same and the valverod 23 is sufficient to overcome the weight of the frame 34 andassociated elek ments, whereby the frame is normally retained in theuppermost position.

Each drinking chamber is provided in its bottom with a drain outlet 46,here illustrated as apipe or conduit 46. Theintake end of this pipeforconduit is adapted to be closed by a preferably conical valve 47,decreasing in diameter downwardly, and normally arranged above andspaced from the inlet end of the pipe 46. The valve 45 is suspendedby achain or connecting element 48 attached to the longitudinal rod 35, asshown.

Each chamber 11 is provided with anover-low outlet means 49, preferablyin the form of a pipe, connected with the drain outlet pipe 46, throughthe medium of a T-coupling 50. Particular attention is called to the`fact that the intake end of the over-How pipe 49 is in communicationwith the interior of the chamber ll at a point spaced a substantialdistance below the outlet end of the supply port 20 of the supply valve,whereby the water held within the chamber can not possibly come incontact with the. supply valve, to contaminate the water in the supplypipe.

In operation, the cow or other animal, instinctively engages the controlelement 33 with its nose or mouth, pushes the same downwardly, wherebythe valve 21 is unseated, and the valve 47 seated. rllhe water is nowsupplied into the drinking chamber 11, the. animal retaining the controlelement 33 depressed while drinking. lf the supply of water exceeds therate at which it is being consumed by the animal, when the y levelthereof reaches the outlet 49, it will pass therethrough and be carriedoff through the pipe 46, without possibly coming in contact with thesupply valve. When the animal has satisfied its thirst, it releases thecontrol element 33, whereby the same is automatically swung to itsuppermost position by the downward movement of the valve 21 andassociated elements, such upward movement of the control elementunseating valve 47 and allowing the water remaining in the drinkingchamber to be drained through pipe 46, whereby there will be noaccumulation of the water for a prolonged period within the drinkingchamber. The form of my invention shown in Figs. 6 and 7 includes atrough 5l, divided by a transverse partition 52, forming a plurality ofdrinking chambers 53, preferably arrangedV in end to end relation, asshown.

Arranged above and suitably supported by the transversepartition 52 is avalve structure 54 embodying a shell 55, having a common centrallyarranged inlet or supply opening 56, in communication with chambers 57,as shown. rlhe upper end of the chambers 57 are normally closed by meansof removable screw-threaded plugs or caps 58. The bottom of each chamber57 is preferably in the form of a conical wall or valve seat 59,controlling the passage of the water through an inwardly dischargingpassage or port 60, leading into the drinking chamber 53, adjacent thetransverse partition 52 and upon one side thereof, as shown. Each valveseat 59 is adapted to be engaged and disengaged by a preferablyspherical valve 61, rigidly mounted upon the upper end of a verticallyreciprocatory valve rod 62, hav ing its lower end pivoted, as shown at63, to a bell-crank lever 64. This bell-crank lever is pivoted, as shownat 65.

Each bell-crank lever 64 has its approximately vertical arm provided`with a longitudinally extending slot 66, receiving a pivotal connectinglink 67, fitting within an opening or notch 68, in an upstanding crankor finger 69, as shown.

The crank 69 is apertured, as shown at 69', for receiving a transverserod 70, and is provided at its lower end with a lateral extension 71.The crank 69 passes through an opening 72 in a pivoted control device73, in this instance serving as a cover for the drinking chamber 53. Atthis point it is thought advisable to state that the cover 73 isconsidered to be the equivalent of the control device or element 33described in the first form of my invention, and that whenever the termcontrol device, without further restriction, is employed in the claims,it is intended that the same should cover both forms of them. Thelateral extension 7l is arranged within a depending pocket 74 carried bythe control device or cover 73 and is rigidly secured therein by meansof a transverse bolt 75 or the like. The control device or cover 73 isprovided with laterally spaced longitudinally extending ribs or flanges76, depending from the inner or lower surface of control device or cover73, as shown. The rear ends of these ribs or iianges 76 are aperturedfor pivotal connection with the rod 70, which passes through theapertured ends of downwardly diverging arms 77 carried byand preferablycast integral with thelower end of the shell 55, as shown. Rigidlyconnected with the upstanding crank or nger 69 is a normallyhorizontally arranged crank 78, the outer end of which is apertured forconnection with a chain 79, connected with a discharge valve 80, whichis preferably substantially conical and decreases in diameterdownwardly, as shown. The discharge valve 8O is adapted to control thepassage of water through a discharge opening 81, in the bottom of thechamber 53.

Each chamber is provided near its upper end and below the control deviceor cover, when the latter is in its closed position, with an over-flowopening 82, connected with a take-off pipe 83, as shown.

The operation of the second form of my invention is as follows When thecontrol device or cover 73 occupies its horizontal or closed position,the same serves to cover the upper open end of the drinking chamber 53,thus Preventing weeds or other dirt from entering the same. lV hen thecontrol device or cover 73 is in its closed position, the inlet valve 61is seated and the outlet valve 80 is unseated, as shown. The cow or thelike swings the control device or cover 7 3 upwardly, to occupy asubstantially vertical position, whereby the cranks 69 and 78 are swungupon their pivots. Upon this movement of the crank 69, the bell-cranklever 64 is swung upon its pivot, whereby the inlet valve 61 will beunseated, and the water supplied into the chamber 53 through port 60.Simultaneously with the unseating of the valve 61, the valve 80 isseated to prevent the passage of the water from the drinking chamber 53.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown anddescribed are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may beresorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my claim 1. Apparatus of the character described,comprising a drinking receptacle, a suitably supported valve structurefor supplying water to the upper portion of the receptacle andcomprising an upstanding casing provided with laterally extendingsecuring lugs and a movable valve arranged therein, a supporting`element provided with openings to receive the securing lugs and havingits lower end forked to provide depending diverging arms having pivoteyes at their lower ends, a securing band surrounding the supportingelement and valve casing to hold the former upon the latter, anapproximately rectangular open frame having one end thereof pivotallymounted within the pivot eyes of said arms, and operative connectingmeans between the approximately rectangular frame and the movable valve.i

2. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a drinkingreceptacle, 'a supply valve structure arranged near the upper endthereof and embodying a movable valve, a depending rod connected withthe movable valve and provided at its lower end with an eye, aplat-elink provided in its upper portion with an opening to receive theeye of the depending` rod and in its lower portion with a relativelylarge opening having its wall provided with a radially extending recess,a crank provided with a tapered head increasingl in diameter outwardlyand adapted for insertion through the relatively large opening, alock-link having a portion thereof arranged within the relatively largeopening to normally prevent the tapered head from being removedtherefrom and adapted for movement into the radially extendinginvention, I

recess to permit of the separation of these.

parts, and a control device connected with the crank to move the same.

3. Apparatus of the character described, comprising a drinkingreceptacle having its upper side open, a substantially vertical valvecasing arranged above the upper side of the receptacle and having itsoutlet end spaced a substantial `vertical distance above the maximumwater level of the receptacle and provided with a vertically inclineddischarge outlet for conducting the water toward the rear wall of thereceptacle,.a valve arranged within the casing above the inclineddischarge outlet, a valve rod connected with the valve depending`therefrom with its lower end in advance of the lower end of thedischarge outlet, a supporting member secured to the forward side of thevalve casing and carrying depending spaced arms arranged vforwardly ofthe valve rod, a control member pivotally mounted upon the arms, meansconnecting the control member and the valve rod, a valve arranged in thelower portion of the receptacle to control the discharge of watertherefrom, and means connecting the last named valve with the controlmember.

4. In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of drinkingreceptacles, a common water supply conduit for the receptacles, an inletconduit for each receptacle connected with the common water supplyconduit and having its discharge end arranged above themaximum waterlevel of the receptacle so that the water cannot flow from thereceptacle back into the common water lsupply conduit, a normally closedinlet valve associated with the inlet conduit, a normally open outletvalve associated with the drinking receptacle whereby it is norlnallyempty, a movable member arranged within the receptacle and adapted to beactuated by the mouth of the animal and connected with the inlet andoutlet valves to operate them, and a support for the member arranged toprevent the animals mouth from contacting with the discharge end of theinlet conduit.

5; In apparatus of the character described, a plurality of drinkingreceptacles, a common water supply conduit for the recepta-A cles, aninlet conduit for each receptacle connected with the common water supplyconduit and having its discharge end arranged above the maximum waterlevel of the receptacle so that the water cannot flow from thereceptacle back into the common water supply conduit, a normally closedinlet valve associated with the inlet conduit, a normally open outletvalve associated with the drinking receptacle whereby it is normallyempty, and a movable member arranged near thereceptacle and adapted tobe actuated by the mouth of the animal and iov arranged above thereceptacle and having a rearwardly extending outlet opening which isspaced a substantial distance above the maximum water level of thereceptacle, a normally closed inlet valve arranged within the inletvalve casing, a swinging member arranged within the receptacle andadapted to be moved by the mouth of the animal, a support secured to theforward portion of the inlet valve casing and pivotally supporting theswinging member, and means connecting the swinging member and the inletand out let valves.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature 20 in presence of twowitnesses.

JOI-IN M. B. LEWIS.

Witnesses: l

Gr. H. WILKINS, VoLNEY E. HOWARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

